I’m outlining my next book right now, following the process that I’ve used for all my stories. That means I’m busy concocting problems for my lead character.
I want her to have at least one deep, heart-level problem that’s sabotaging her life and stopping her from becoming the person God wants her to be.
And, since I write romance, the problem also means she’s shooting herself in the foot when it comes to finding love. Resolving her problem will also move the barrier that’s standing between her and her love interest.
Meanwhile, her love interest isn’t skipping merrily through life. Not by a long shot. He, too, has a problem that’s messing up his life and affecting his relationships. He’s got to work through his own stuff.
Yes, I’m a professional troublemaker, but only for my fictional characters.
In all my books, I primarily want each of my love interests to grow because of their troubles, and to find love as a by-product of that growth. If they never got into a relationship, they’ll still have taken one step closer in their sanctification, the process through which God conforms us more and more to the image of Jesus.
Long before I began writing seriously, I had an interest in psychology, relational problems, and emotional trauma, and how God heals our brokenness.
And now that I’m a writer, I’m drawn to explore the things that wound us deep inside, such as fractured family dynamics, painful breakups, and past sinful lifestyles.
Including them in romance means the characters will get a happy ending, and—more importantly—since it’s Christian romance, their healing isn’t just based on the shifting sands of emotionalism, but on the solid rock of Jesus.
If there’s a spectrum between angsty romance on one end and light-hearted comedy on the other, my books definitely lean on the more serious side.
Do you tend to read more angsty books, or do you gravitate towards lighter stories?
I write fiction that reflects my Christian faith. I love happy endings, heroes and heroines who discover sometimes hard but always vital truths, and stories that uplift and encourage. My family and I live in the east of England where we enjoy rambling in the countryside, reading good books and making up silly lyrics to our favorite songs.
I tend to gravitate to the more serious stories, though every now and then a rom-com has its place, as long as it’s bona fide Christian, and has depth in there somewhere! I tend to avoid sweet and clean stories, as I find them unsatisfactory.
Thanks for your comment, Margaret. I very occasionally read rom com and, like you, enjoy it best when there’s some depth behind the humour.
I tend to gravitate toward more serious stories. I’m most definitely NOT a fan of RomCom, though I’ve read some. It totally depends on the type of humor used. It’d still much rather read a book where the characters have to learn and grow in their faith.
Thanks for your comment, Trudy. I think Christian rom com does a better job than secular in having a solid kernel in the middle of the humour.
welcome today. I tend to read both depending on the mood I am in at the time.
I get that! I’m a mood reader as well. Thanks for your comment.
If I’ve just read a real angsty book, I usually like to take a break and read something lighter before I’m ready or another angsty one :-) Recently I’ve really enjoyed Pepper Basham’s Authentically Izzy and Positively Penelope because they’re hilarious, but also the characters deal with some real problems and grow and mature.
That sounds like the perfect blend, Margaret! Characters growing while the story still makes you smile. I’ve heard of both those books but haven’t yet gotten around to reading them.
I’m an ARC member for several authors, so I read both kinds. I love Christian books, but as long as they are clean, I’ll read them.
I can read just clean as well with no faith message, but it’s always so much more satisfying to read Christian stories.
I think I lean more towards the serious instead of rom-coms. However, with that being said, I do enjoy a rom-com every now and then. I love your philosophy. And I love seeing how God works in people’s lives.
God bless you.
Thanks, Bonnie! I love stories that remind me that God is sovereign and that he has a plan.
I prefer the serious stories.
The serious ones definitely speak more to me. Thanks for your comment, Mary!
Hi Milla! I enjoy both types of stories, sometimes it’s nice to have something light and easy to read, but it’s the ones with more depth I go back to and re-read.
Good points, Ruthie! Thanks for your comment.
I like that they have a balance though it doesn’t really matter as long as the core is solid.
Thanks for your comment, Lilly. You’re right–the core is everything.
Both. I am a mood reader. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Thanks for your comment, Debra. It’s such a blessing to have something to read that fits every mood.
I enjoy the whole range, it really depends on what’s happening in my life and how I’m feeling and I tend to let myself be guided to what book to read next. Interesting post. Thanks.